Hey guys, I'm looking at boats in the $40k range and it looks like an 07-08 VLX is going to be the boat to get at that price point. Is there anything specific I should be looking for on these? Were there any specific changes in these or between these model years? Any insight or current/previous owners that can help shed some light on things to look for would greatly help out.

make sure all eight water pumps are working before you purchase, pumps cost $50, not sure how much they cost to install. Should have extra ballast to go surfing, the back locker is huge area to fit the ballast.

Thanks for the quick responses guys. I'm definitely looking at the wake hull not the diamond hull (no slalom here). Also, does $40k for these model years seem reasonable? I've found a couple 07s in the mid 40s with 200-300 hours. And the 08s are in the mid to high 40s

Last edited by axeman; 04-09-2012 at 8:36 PM.
Reason: Forgot to add details

Hey guys, I'm looking at boats in the $40k range and it looks like an 07-08 VLX is going to be the boat to get at that price point. Is there anything specific I should be looking for on these? Were there any specific changes in these or between these model years? Any insight or current/previous owners that can help shed some light on things to look for would greatly help out.

Thanks!

I ordered my 08 VLX March of 08, still have it and still love it. The hull is identical from 2005 to 2008 on the VLX's. If it is a true VLX, it will have the v25 wake hull, not the diamond hull available on the Sunscape models accessorized to look like a VLX. Even if you don't utilize the power wedge, I would be sure to buy one that has it as it will have better resale. Same goes for tandem axle trailer - these boats are heavy. If you run any weight or factory ballast with power wedge, you will want an Acme 1235 prop.

There are several things that are different in 2007 vs. 2008. As ryanbush11 mentioned, the dash went from toggle switches on the dash (2007) to MUX LED switches in 2008. The color of the gauges is also different in 2008 with a white/redish lighting opposed to the orange/redish lighting in 2007. The throttle is also different in 2008, although both 2007 and 2008 are both fly by wire. The glove box is billet and super heavy in 2007, where the 2008 is composite fiberglass and much lighter. The built in cooler flips toward the drivers seat in 2007, but flips toward you/middle of the boat in 2008, allowing the driver seat to swivel more when the cooler is open. Many 2007's didn't have the 2 speakers in the cutout area by the rear seat, instead this was a flip out cupholder option. 2008's had the 2 speakers in the rear seat area along with stereo remote option. Also in 2007, Malibu still housed the stereo/head unit in the driver's armrest area. In 2008, they went to a JBL/Malibu head unit with controls in the MUX switches and relocated the head unit to the left of the dash in bow walkway area. USB/Aux input was housed in the glove box.

Like I said, the hulls are identical from 2005-2008 but here are several changes throughout the years, not just 2007 vs. 2008. In 2005 the power wedge was not available, PW option started in 2006. 2005 and 2006 models have 3 split rear storage/engine access where 2007-2008 have two piece rear hatch design. Front ballast tank option was not available in 2005 i'm pretty sure. I'm sure I'm missing several other things, but thats about all i can remember. You will be happy with it no matter what year you buy.

I ordered my 08 VLX March of 08, still have it and still love it. The hull is identical from 2005 to 2008 on the VLX's. If it is a true VLX, it will have the v25 wake hull, not the diamond hull available on the Sunscape models accessorized to look like a VLX. Even if you don't utilize the power wedge, I would be sure to buy one that has it as it will have better resale. Same goes for tandem axle trailer - these boats are heavy. If you run any weight or factory ballast with power wedge, you will want an Acme 1235 prop.

There are several things that are different in 2007 vs. 2008. As ryanbush11 mentioned, the dash went from toggle switches on the dash (2007) to MUX LED switches in 2008. The color of the gauges is also different in 2008 with a white/redish lighting opposed to the orange/redish lighting in 2007. The throttle is also different in 2008, although both 2007 and 2008 are both fly by wire. The glove box is billet and super heavy in 2007, where the 2008 is composite fiberglass and much lighter. The built in cooler flips toward the drivers seat in 2007, but flips toward you/middle of the boat in 2008, allowing the driver seat to swivel more when the cooler is open. Many 2007's didn't have the 2 speakers in the cutout area by the rear seat, instead this was a flip out cupholder option. 2008's had the 2 speakers in the rear seat area along with stereo remote option. Also in 2007, Malibu still housed the stereo/head unit in the driver's armrest area. In 2008, they went to a JBL/Malibu head unit with controls in the MUX switches and relocated the head unit to the left of the dash in bow walkway area. USB/Aux input was housed in the glove box.

Like I said, the hulls are identical from 2005-2008 but here are several changes throughout the years, not just 2007 vs. 2008. In 2005 the power wedge was not available, PW option started in 2006. 2005 and 2006 models have 3 split rear storage/engine access where 2007-2008 have two piece rear hatch design. Front ballast tank option was not available in 2005 i'm pretty sure. I'm sure I'm missing several other things, but thats about all i can remember. You will be happy with it no matter what year you buy.

yeah, I figured as much cuz it seems that when the wedge is deployed with a lot of weight it ruins the lip. My buddies manual wedge would sometimes drop into place when making tight turns... it made the lip foamy and soft. It sucked cuz we would have to stop and fix it. After a day of doing that, he ended up pulling it off.

spot on, although we run about 4000-4200 at 24.2-24.8 and it's insane!

not good pics but gives you an idea of the wake

Hey, is that a Nautique G23 wake for $100k less?!?!?!?!? who would have thought! That boat is going to be setting new records! That wake looks crazy! Cant go wrong with a Malibu, only downfall to the older VLX is the Illusion tower, it never seemed well built to me. In 2010 they went to the G3 tower.

Thanks for all the responses guys. Bhyatt, thanks for the additional detailed information. Now I feel like I truly know the differences.

Ord27, I've only found 07s listed for 42-45. 08s for high 40s. That seemed high to me since back in 2009-2010 my buddy picked up an 05 for 35k from the dealer. He walked into the dealership and it had just been traded in that day. Lucky son of b****!!!

Thanks for all the responses guys. Bhyatt, thanks for the additional detailed information. Now I feel like I truly know the differences.

Ord27, I've only found 07s listed for 42-45. 08s for high 40s. That seemed high to me since back in 2009-2010 my buddy picked up an 05 for 35k from the dealer. He walked into the dealership and it had just been traded in that day. Lucky son of b****!!!

Anybody know anyone wanting to sell in the 30s or 40s range?

The prices you are seeing are similar to what I found when looking as well. It seems that the used boat market dried up a bit in recent years. Most likely due to fewer people buying new boats with the economy downturn.

The used market in 08-10 was absolutely horrible for sellers. There were so many repo boats out there going for so cheap that it absolutely killed the used market. That probably has somethign to do with your friend getting sucha good deal. Right now the used market is pretty strong for the seller. Prices of new boats keep getting more and more expensive and good used prices aren't budging much. That is not so say you can't find an 07 or 08 for 40ish but you are going to have to be patient, willing to travel and jump on the boat immediately when a good deal pops up.

axel, I ran into the same dilemma last year at this time when I was looking for boats. I too wanted a used vlx, but the prices for a 3-5 year old vlx was the same price as a brand new A22 (almost the exact wake), but the used boat would not have a warranty. A new V-ride 21 was about 5k more than the A22 as well. I couldn't find an 07-08 vlx for under 45K... it was shocking to me. Not saying this is the way you should go, just that I understand your pain.

Right now is a good time for the seller, not so good for you the buyer, but keep looking, I am sure something will come up, just be ready to pounce on it.

I've seen 2005's sell for several thousands less than 2006-2008 models. 2005 is probably your best bet to get this hull sub $40k right now. 2005's didn't have the malibu speed control that you see in the 2006-2008 dash (perfect pass instead), no power wedge option, old school tribal graphics and had some of the problematic illusion towers that had cracking problems. Also the price of a 2005 VLX in 2005 vs. a 2007 VLX in 2007 differed by about $6k. When i bought in 08', costs had went up again another $7k or so vs. 2007. If i'm doing my math correctly, each new model year's cost has increased about 8% each year since then, now giving the VLX a price tag well into the $70k range and even the 2012 vRide (the 2005-2008 VLX hull) a price tag in the upper $60k range.

With boat companies charging so much for new boats in an unstable economy, used boats are really holding their value. My 2008 VLX has 380hrs on it and i wouldn't list it for sale for a penny under $48,900 right now. I've listed it for sale a couple of times and always end up pulling it off the market. Studying values over the last 3 years on my boat, it has only dropped $3k in value. Something to think about if you pay more for a nicer VLX, you'll get your money out of it later if you sell.

I'm ready to pounce on it. Financing shouldn't be an issue since I've got great credit and I'm putting over 20% down. Wife is getting restless! We made the decision over the weekend to pull the trigger on a boat (we've been wanting to for over 3 years now). Every local one I found has already been sold (the ads were still up). Keeping my fingers crossed. At least I'm lucky enough where my wife is the one pushing to get the boat instead of having to convince her!

bummer. in just a few minutes I found about 4 VLX's from 39-47k, years 06-07. I have made that drive a couple times, 18 hours in a little rental car driving straight through... would be 24+ towing I would imagine. But for the right price it might be worth it. bring a buddy and spend a few days riding the lakes all along the way home.